Leaving a Legacy

HONORING OUR RETIREES AND THEIR LASTING IMPACT ON GPS

Anita Vetter

Accounts Payable/Payroll Manager

MANY MAY NOT KNOW that Anita Vetter began her time at GPS with an end-date in sight. “I was hired in October 1998 to fill in while someone was out on an eight-week medical leave,” she says. Of course, it was clear she was indispensable, and when the employee returned to work, Vetter was asked to stay on part-time to record receivables in the Business Office. Her success in that role led to a full-time position the following school year in the Development Office as the Database Manager, where she stayed for 14 years before returning to her Business Office roots for eight years as the Accounts Payable/Payroll Manager upon her colleague’s retirement.

Known for her endless supply of candy in her office to anyone who needed a pickme-up throughout the day, Vetter has two daughters who graduated from GPS during her time as an employee—Joy, Class of 1999, and Amy, Class of 2002—and she looks back fondly on their accomplishments on the swim team and their years as Bruisers. She’s been here through some of the highest highs—”Helping with the Centennial Celebration was fun!”—and lowest lows— ”Losing Mr. Tucker is a sad memory for me, as he played a most important role in my employment at GPS. He and Terri were always so kind to me, and they loved my daughters.” But she loves the integrity and tradition of the school.

Always a quick wit, Vetter likens her career at GPS to the United States of America. “It isn’t perfect, but you don’t want to be, live, or work anywhere else.” She admits she won’t miss the deadlines, but she will miss the friends she has made and kept over the last 23 years. “Just being trusted to be a part of what makes GPS a successful school for young women is memorable and rewarding for me,” she says.

Vetter holds her family near and dear and says experiencing her daughters becoming accomplished and successful adults, wives, and mothers has been the culmination of her role as a mother. Today, she is “Oma” to five grandchildren, a role that likely keeps her plenty busy, but she hopes to spend her retirement traveling and, at some point, helping nurses in the NICU at Erlanger “rock the little babies.”

“Long after her girls have graduated from GPS, Anita continues to demonstrate her love for this place by sewing dresses for girls and their dolls. Plus, she has promised to share her lottery winnings with GPS, so we keep our fingers crossed for her. We miss her uproarious laughter and always upbeat spirit in the office and around campus and have fun observing her role as an active grandmother.”

—Mark Vosskamp, Chief Financial Officer

Sheryl Kreis

Assistant to the Head of School

WHAT CAN’T SHERYL KREIS DO?!

She runs GPS like a tight ship, always with a smile, a funny quip, and a fashionable outfit. Kreis retires from GPS this year after serving 22 years as the Assistant to the Head of School, though she began her career here as the Registrar in 1990. “For my first 10 years, I loved knowing the girls personally in the role of creating their class schedules,” she says. “As Assistant to the Head of School, I have loved working closely with trustees and all of the GPS employees. I also loved that no two days were alike.”

Kreis has been steadfast in her dedication to GPS because she genuinely believes in singlesex education. Her daughter graduated from GPS in 2001, and her son from McCallie in 2003. “Both want their children to attend their alma maters!” she says.

Given her strong tenure, Kreis has experienced the changing landscape of GPS over the years, which has proven she is smart, adaptable, and ready to take on any challenge. “I have been fortunate to work with five heads of school,” she says. “This has required agility to adapt to different leadership styles and personalities.” She notes specifically that she will “miss terribly the privilege and joy it’s been to work directly with Megan.”

With her newfound free time, Kreis looks forward to being the wife, mother, grandmother, and friend that the time constraints of her job have prohibited. “I also look forward to getting settled in a home we are renovating, which is even closer to my children,” she says.

Kreis looks back on her time at GPS fondly. “It’s been a fabulous place to work. It’s been a blessing to work closely with trustees and employees. I value the many friendships and relationships made possible because of my employment at GPS.”

With her signature wit she admits, “I have loved almost every minute!”

“Faithfully serving five heads of school, Sheryl has been the 'face' of our school—always working with integrity, professionalism, empathy, and her signature strength—grace. Bottom line: because of her dedication, she has made an impact on every member of our community that will last long after her departure. She will be a dearly missed colleague, partner, and friend. We wish Sheryl and her husband, Jim, all the best as they begin this next chapter together. Here’s to YOU, Sheryl!”

—Megan Cover, Head of School

Susan Crownover

Head Varsity Softball Coach and PE Teacher

AS SUSAN CROWNOVER’S CAREER

at GPS comes to a close and her retirement draws near, it becomes evident we are losing a legend. She has taught and coached at GPS for 31 years, 29 as head softball coach and nine as head basketball coach. From 2004–13, she coached both sports back-to-back.

During her 28 seasons as Head Coach of the softball program, her teams made 23 state tournament appearances and earned eight state championships—in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2014—and 13 state runner-up titles. Over decades, she never had a losing record and even coached 22 20+ win seasons. Thirty-four of her softball players continued their playing careers in college.

Crownover was fortunate to share some of her softball years with her daughter, Kelby. “My most memorable moment from my time at GPS was when we won the state softball championship in 2014, Kelby’s senior year. We had to beat Baylor twice to win it, and we did. Seeing the joy on her face, sharing that moment with her and knowing what an accomplishment it was, was so satisfying,” she says.

Though she admits she doesn’t worry much about personal accomplishments—“As a coach of a team sport, I am only successful when my team is successful”—a career as long and impactful as Crownover’s comes filled with accolades. In 2007, she was named the NFHS State Softball Coach of the Year and TWSA Softball Coach of the Year, which she earned again the following year. In 2012, she was named TSSAA AF Bridges Award - Female Coach of the Year, and in 2016, she was inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Coaches Hall of Fame. That same year, she earned the Allan Morris/Jim Morgan Award, which is given to an athlete or person involved in athletics that has overcome great physical challenges or through diligent persistence has accomplished goals that most people in their situation would not even attempt. She has also earned the Scrappy Moore Softball Coaches Award and the Chattanooga Times Free Press Coach of the Year three times.

Crownover admits she will miss the people and the excitement of the girls on special days like the first day of school, big athletic games and wins, May Day, and more, but she is looking forward to retirement, alongside her husband, David, who is also retiring from teaching and coaching this year. The couple plan to devote time to spoiling their grandchildren and traveling.

“I am honored to say I’ve spent 23 years working with Susan Crownover at GPS. We have been through hard moments in life and always knew the other was or would be right there … she is the GOAT (greatest of all time)! That’s also how she is for her players. There will likely never be another like her on our coaching staff. A career that has been as long and as successful as hers does that. And I can’t tell you how many belly laughs and inside jokes we have had where we haven’t had to say a word but knew what the other one was thinking! She has always been one of my mentors, but she is also my ‘framily’ for life.”

Susan McCarter

College Counseling Consultant

VOTED “MOST TALENTED” IN HIGH

SCHOOL, Susan McCarter has graciously shared her talents in a variety of roles throughout her extensive tenure at GPS. In 1993, she was hired as the Director of the GPS | McCallie Coordinate Program, which saw great success under her tutelage before she transitioned into the role she’s best known for—Director of College Counseling.

McCarter says her career at GPS has been one of professional development. “I have been very active in organizations, visited colleges in all parts of the country, and learned about the demands of my position. I’ve also appreciated the growth I’ve seen in my students as they’ve gone through the process and then returned to GPS to share their college experiences.”

She says what brought her the most joy was dreaming about the future with her students—the colleges they might attend, the careers they might pursue, and what their lives might look like down the road. “College counseling is all about possibilities,” she says. Beyond the role itself, McCarter enjoyed working alongside her sister, Anne Exum, and her daughter, Jordan McCarter ’96, even if their time at the school didn’t overlap for long. “I feel like my personal legacy is having provided an education for my daughter at GPS. The school has changed both her life and mine.”

McCarter also worked hard outside of GPS, serving as President of SACAC (Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling), from which she was presented with the Larry West Award for outstanding contribution. She also spent time working with less advantaged students through Camp College, a program sponsored by SACAC, and was also involved in the Coast to Coast College Fair for more than 20 years.

McCarter, who says her job was “always challenging and enlightening and hopeful,” will be greatly missed, but we’re we’re certain she’ll will stay equally as fulfilled in her newly acquired free time; she plans to care for her grandson, Charlie, volunteer at the Food Bank, travel, and usher for the Chattanooga Lookouts.

“Susan’s work in the world of college counseling is wellknown and respected in our region and beyond because of her leadership in SACAC (Southern Association for College Admission Counseling) and the larger national organization, NACAC. Rarely do I speak with a college counselor from another independent school when they don’t mention Susan and sing her praises. Her vast expertise, proven track record, and institutional knowledge will all be missed greatly.”

—Jenise Gordon, Head of Upper School